This was an IT project to automate an existing business system. The membership of the project team was very varied. Project team members came from 4 different countries namely Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda representing thier country and business interest. It was real fun!
On the 1st day, as if all members were genuis from their countries there was high level of formality and rigidity, expectations were high, but on the other hand the membership was surpisingly cool, it was made up of peers. At a gathering to introduce the membership of the project team and the objectives of the project was the published project leader. A young energetic, brainy and simple man. This chap was full of fun, humour, charisma, passion and energy. He influenced the team with the right attitude that could deliver the project. He broke the ice by introducing all the members of the team describing each members with the character of their respective countries and filled the members with the level of excitement that he pleaded not to make it wither.
The lessons learnt from this project and in the management style of this project leader have been elaborated below:
The psychology of the team:
A continueous observation of the project teams behaviour, monitoring that no one member or the entire team in any single moment felt stressed, upset, apprehensive or troubled.
Fun, Fun, Fun:
He ensured that the mind of the team is not swayed from the set goals. He kept saying that success is not about plan, plan, plan but rather making things work under flexible working environment.
The Meeting of Minds:
He said two heads are better than one as no one person is a repository of knowledge.
The infatuation for success:
All must believe that it would succeed and work towards it.